When Rishi Kapoor revealed he deliberately maintained distance from son Ranbir Kapoor: "We can see but not feel each other"

Rishi Kapoor was a prominent and celebrated actor in Indian cinema, having featured in notable films like Bobby, Kabhi Kabhie, and Chandni. He married actress Neetu Singh in 1980, and they had two children, Ranbir and Riddhima Kapoor.
The ‘Mulk’ actor had a complex relationship with his son, Ranbir Kapoor. In a candid discussion on The Anupam Kher Show - Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai back in 2015, Rishi articulated his desire to maintain a clear boundary between himself and his son, emphasizing the importance of respect over friendship. He stated, “Main jaanta hoon ki is film industry aese bohut se parents hai jo apne bacchon ko dost jaese maante hai. Mera rishta mere baap ke saath kabhi aesa nahi tha. Maine jaan bujh k yeh rishta maine apne bete se bhi nahi rakkha. Ho sakta hai ki humare beech mein ek sheesha ki deewar hai” (I know there are many parents in the film industry who consider their children as their friends. I never had such a relationship with my father. I intentionally didn't keep my relationship with my son like that. Maybe there is a glass wall between us) .

The 'Karz' actor's metaphorical "glass wall" represented a deliberate choice to foster a father-son dynamic rooted in respect rather than camaraderie. He elaborated, “Hum dekh sakte hai lekin hum ek doosre ko mehsus nahi karsakte” (We can see but not feel each other). He wanted Ranbir to acknowledge his position as a father, stating, “Aap mujhe woh position zaroor de ki main aapka buzurg hoon, main aapka baap hoon. Main aapka dost nahi hoon” (You give me that position that I'm elder to you, I'm your father. I'm not your friend) .

Rishi's perspective was influenced by his own upbringing. He aimed to instill in Ranbir the values of respecting elders while allowing him the freedom to pursue his own path: “Tum apni badon ki izzat karo aur baaki tum zindagi mein jo chahte ho karo” (You respect your elders and do whatever you want with your life) .
Despite his firm stance, Rishi later expressed regret over the emotional distance that characterized their relationship. In his autobiography, Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, he wrote about the parallels between his bond with Ranbir and the one he shared with his own father, noting, “The distance that exists between us is similar to the one between my father and me” . This reflection highlights a cycle of emotional distance that Rishi wished to break but found challenging to navigate.


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